How Often Do Workplace Fire Extinguishers Need to Be Inspected and Tested?

When was the last time that you tested the fire extinguishers in your business's workplace? The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that nearly 200 workplaces are set ablaze per day. With fire extinguishers, employees can quickly extinguish small fires before they engulf their workplace. But you'll need to regularly test your business's fire extinguishers to ensure they are functional.

Full Maintenance Inspections 

You should perform a full maintenance inspection at least once per year. OSHA says that employers are required to perform a full maintenance inspection with all portable fire extinguishers on an annual basis. 

A full maintenance inspection involves a complete examination of a portable fire extinguisher and all of its components. It's a meticulous process that should be performed by a professional. Make sure to perform a full maintenance inspection on all portable fire extinguishers at least once per year.

Visual Inspections

While employers only need to perform full maintenance inspections once per year, OSHA requires them to perform visual inspections with all portable fire extinguishers at least once per month. Visual inspections are simpler, easier inspections. You can typically perform a visual inspection yourself. For a full maintenance inspection, on the other hand, you should contact a professional.

Visual inspections include the following:

• Looking for signs of rust or corrosion
• Looking for signs of physical damage, such as dents or scratches
• Ensuring that the pin is still in place
• Checking for leaks
• Ensuring that the fire extinguisher is fully charged

Hydrostatic Testing

Some portable fire extinguishers require hydrostatic testing as well. Hydrostatic testing is designed to determine a portable fire extinguisher's ability to hold pressure. According to OSHA, employers must perform a hydrostatic test with all "dry chemical fire extinguishers" at least once every 12 years. 

Dry chemical fire extinguishers are characterized by the use of a powder substance. They use a dry powder to extinguish fires rather than a liquid. If you have any dry chemical fire extinguishers in your business's workplace, you'll need to perform a hydrostatic test at least once every 12 years on them.

OSHA also requires employers to empty and refill dry chemical fire extinguishers once every six years. Some dry chemical fire extinguishers use sodium bicarbonate to extinguish fires. Others use potassium bicarbonate or monoammonium phosphate. Regardless, they all contain a dry powder-like substance. Employers must empty and refill their dry chemical fire extinguishers at least once every six years to comply with OSHA's requirements.